Yorksher Puddin' eBook

“I will act upon your hint,” he said,
“but I have one favour yet to ask, Will you
grant it?”

“That depends upon the nature of it.”

“It is that I may be allowed to call here again,
to express the gratitude I feel for the kind manner
in which you have acted towards me. At present
I am not in a fit state to do so. Will you grant
me that privilege?”

“We do not seek for your thanks, sir, you are
a perfect stranger to us, and we have but done that,
which we felt it our duty to do, but if it will afford
you any pleasure, I am quite sure my father will grant
your request.”

With a hasty “good morning,” he hurried
off, passing through the quiet streets as quickly
as he could, still wondering how he had got into such
strange company.

Sally sought her bed, to snatch a few hours of sleep,
but all desire seemed to have flown. She could
think of nothing but the young man’s face as
she had seen him as he slept. His dress and manners
bespoke the gentleman; but he had left no name, and
she vainly endeavoured to discover who he was.

The next day brought the young man once more to the
cottage door, but in a very different state.
Sally was not at home, but the old woman invited him
forward, and requested him to be seated. “Give
my best thanks to your daughter,” he said, as
they conversed together, “and tell her I shall
be for ever grateful to her, for she has proved as
good as she is beautiful; and she is beautiful.”

After sitting for a few minutes whilst the old woman
warned him of the danger he placed himself in by giving
way to such evil habits, and having promised never
again to forget himself so far, he shook hands with
the worthy couple and departed, leaving behind him
a handsome sum of money, unknown to them.

Not long after, Sally was returning home, when she
met the same young man. The recognition was mutual,
and he at once joined her and strolled along by her
side, pouring forth his thanks for her kindness, and
begging that she would not look upon him with disgust
on account of the unfavourable circumstances under
which their first meeting took place. His manners
were so easy, and his conversation so entertaining,
that they reached the end of the street in which she
lived, almost before she was aware. He bade her
“good night,” and struck off in an opposite
direction.

Sally’s heart palpitated more quickly than usual,
as she entered the house, and for some reason, unknown
even to herself, she did not acquaint her parents
with the interview. She endeavoured to occupy
her mind by busying herself with the little household
affairs, but her manner was abstracted, so feigning
exhaustion she went to her room, at an earlier hour
than usual. She slept, but not that deep, quiet,
undisturbed slumber that wraps in oblivion all the
senses. She dreamed strange dreams, in which
she saw strange faces, but the one face was ever there,
and in the morning she arose, feverish and unrefreshed.